What is distance learning?
Distance learning allows students to take their course on the computer rather than in the traditional classroom setting. Students and the instructor communicate via email and discussion boards, and course materials, readings, quizzes and tests are located on a classroom website. While this is a convenient and exciting way to take a college course, these courses do require that students possess basic computer skills, solid reading and writing skills, and a high degree of self-discipline. Distance learning courses include fully-online and hybrid courses, which include on-campus meetings and online coursework requirements.
Distance learning is a guided set of educational activities that provide high quality content linked to current research and/or other related, widely accepted academic work, along with access to the instructor or training provider. It affords you the opportunity of taking courses at your pace – when you need them – and allows you to do so in the comfort and privacy of your home or office. It offers a real savings for you, both in time and money.
Distance learning happens when the teacher and learner are separated during at least part or all of the instructional process. Although at different locations, both the teacher and learner are connected and/or the course content is distributed through educational media. A wide variety of communication technologies, approaches and processes may be used to supplement and enhance learning. Face-to-face interaction may also be a part of the distance learning process.
